When God created the universe it was instantaneous (Genesis 1:1). At some point thereafter, in eternity past, God created Angels. Then, after an indeterminate amount of time, God created man.
There are perhaps billions of angels (Psalms 68:17; Matthew 26:53; Hebrews 12:22; Revelation 5:11; 7:11). Angels are spirit beings (Psalms 104:4). Angels do not have physical bodies as we do, therefore they have no trouble passing through material objects or traveling through the universe.
Angels are mentioned 178 times in the New Testament and 106 in the Old Testament. Angels serve, worship, praise and glorify God. They are perfect creatures faithful to their creator. Some angels apparently serve and worship and sing around the Throne of God (Revelation 5:11; 7:11).
The Angels chief attributes are strength and wisdom (2 Kings 19:35; 2 Samuel 14:20; Psalms 103:20-21; 104:4). The name ‘angel’ means ‘messenger’ or ‘minister.’ Angels are always referred to in the masculine gender in Scripture. However, gender in the human sense of the word is not ascribed to angels (Matthew 22:30; Mark 12:25).
According to 2 Corinthians 12:1-4 there are three Heavens: The first is the atmosphere around the earth, but may extend out past the galaxies and planets. The second Heaven is the abode of Angels as well as the third Heaven. Where the second heaven begins and ends is a matter of conjecture. Somewhere beyond the stellar universe, billions, perhaps even trillions of light years away is the third Heaven — the abode of God (Ephesians 1:20-21; 4:10).
Note: Since the Resurrection, the third Heaven is where believers go to be “face to face” with the Lord (John 14:1-3; 2 Corinthians 5:8; 1 Peter 1:3-5; Revelation 21:4).
The relationship of angels to believers is that of “ministering spirits” sent forth to minister for them who shall be “heirs of salvation” (1 Kings 19:5; Psalms 34:7; 91:11; Daniel 6:22; Matthew 2:13, 19; 4:11; Luke 22:43; Acts 5:9; 12:7-10). Comparing Hebrews 1:14 with Mathew 18:10 and Psalm 91:11, we learn that this care for believers begins in infancy and continues throughout life.
Angels observe us (Ecclesiastes 5:6; 1 Corinthians 4:9; Ephesians 3:10) and they applaud with joy every time a sinner (unbeliever) repents (turns from not believing to believing) (Luke 15:7, 10). Angels do not invade our privacy.
Angels perform various ministries for the Lord such as executing God’s judgments: Genesis 19:1; Numbers 22:22; Judges 5:23; 2 Samuel 24:16; 2 Kings 19:35; 1 Chronicles 21:15. There are end-time angels spoken of by Jesus (Mathew 13:30, 39, 49; Mark 13:27).
Angels will accompany Christ at His Second Advent, along with all believers of the Church Age (Matthew 25:31).
Our summary study would not be complete without mentioning that there is a pecking order of Angels: Lucifer, at a point in eternity past, was the chief Angel of God, before he fell. See our study on “Angelic Warfare” which includes The Fall of Satan, and The Christian Warrior. Also, see our study on “The Angelic Infiltration.”
Since the Fall of Lucifer, who became Satan after his fall, Michael and Gabriel are the Cherubs or Arch-Angels (Daniel; 8:16; 9:21; Luke 1:19, 26). Michael is the guardian and protective angel over Israel (Daniel 10:13, 21; 12:1; Jude 9).
There are two types of Angels: Elect and Fallen. The term “Elect” is mentioned in 1 Timothy 5:21, and “holy” is used in Mark 8:38. The fallen or unsaved angels are divided in two groups actually — the imprisoned angels, those “which kept not there first estate” (Jude 6), and the rest of the fallen angels, generally called “demons.”
Note: These fallen angels are referred to by the word ‘devils’ in the King James Version, but the word ‘demons’ is a better translation.
Thank you, Father for this study, may it bring honor and glory to Christ our Savior. Amen.
Happy Studying!